A case of gallbladder carcinoma producing both alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

A 73-year-old woman with gallbladder carcinoma infiltrating to the liver presenting high serum values of AFP and CEA was reported. Serum values of AFP and CEA were remarkably high (165,000 ng/ml and 1,070 ng/ml). Immunohistochemically the tumor cells were stained for AFP and CEA by the PAP method. Serum AFP subfraction was analyzed by crossed immunoaffinoelectrophoresis with lentil lectin and concanavalin A, which showed most of the serum AFP bound to both lentil lectin and concanavalin A. As a case of gallbladder carcinoma presenting a high serum value of AFP is rare, it may imply a diagnostic challenge.